Lexus didn’t need long to figure out that its pint-sized LBX crossover struck a chord. Since its 2023 debut, the “premium casual” runabout has brought more than 23,000 new buyers into the fold, making it the brand’s second-best seller in Europe. Now comes the LBX Vibrant Edition, a limited-run model that doubles down on style and swagger.
The name doesn’t lie: this is Lexus leaning into the LBX’s “street-smart” vibe with extra garnish. Matte-black 18-inch wheels, gloss-black spoilers, and darker trim pieces give the Vibrant Edition more bite than the standard Emotion model. The grille treatment borrows from the rowdy LBX RR Morizo concept—jet-black plating with a hint of menace. Color choices are narrow but bold: bi-tone Ruby Red or Sonic Quartz with a black roof, or a full Astral Black suit for those who prefer stealth.
Inside, Lexus turns up the drama with semi-aniline leather in black, set off by Dark Rose bolsters, knee pads, and seat belts. The brand’s eye for detail shows up in red Tatami stitching across the seatbacks—a flourish you won’t find in most small SUVs. It’s sporty cosplay with genuine Lexus craftsmanship.
The Vibrant Edition doesn’t just play dress-up. Standard kit includes an eight-way power driver’s seat, ambient lighting with 64 selectable shades, wireless phone charging, and Lexus’s nanoe-X air purification system (because your latte isn’t the only thing that deserves foam). Paddle shifters make an appearance too, though don’t expect Nürburgring lap times. Power comes from the familiar 1.5-liter three-cylinder hybrid system, good for 136 horsepower. With its tidy 10.4-meter turning circle, the LBX is still aimed squarely at Europe’s crowded city centers.
Lexus will build the LBX Vibrant Edition for just eight months, from September 2025 through May 2026. Consider it the brand’s way of reminding you that luxury doesn’t always have to be big—or quiet.
Lexus isn’t rewriting the playbook for the 2026 NX, but the brand’s compact luxury crossover does pick up a few thoughtful updates to keep it sharp in one of the most competitive segments on the market. Minor changes across trims, a broader range of drivetrain options, and a handful of interior and tech enhancements aim to keep the NX fresh without straying from its already successful formula.
What’s New for 2026?
The most noteworthy news is that the hybrid NX 350h can now be had with front-wheel drive, joining the existing AWD setup and opening the door to slightly better fuel economy and a lower starting price. The athletic F SPORT Handling package—previously gas-only—has migrated over to the hybrid models, meaning all NX powertrains can now be dressed for maximum attitude.
On the plug-in side, Lexus has added a Premium grade to the NX 450h+ lineup, giving shoppers a cheaper entry point into the PHEV. Every plug-in now comes standard with dual-voltage charging cables, making Level 1 and Level 2 charging a plug-and-play affair.
Cosmetic tweaks include a new Infrared paint option across all trims, while Ultra White—once limited—can now be had lineup-wide. The trim walk continues as before: Standard, Premium, Luxury, and the performance-leaning F SPORT Handling.
Engines, Hybrids, and a Plug-In Too
The NX remains a buffet of powertrains under Lexus’s “Electrified” vision. Four main flavors exist, and all come with their own strengths:
NX 350 (AWD): A turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four making 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. It’s good for 0–60 mph in 6.6 seconds and an EPA-estimated 24 mpg combined.
NX 350h (FWD or AWD): A hybrid setup with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and up to two electric motors, delivering 240 combined horsepower. The AWD variant manages 39 mpg combined, while the new FWD spec squeaks out 40 mpg and a slower 8.2-second 0–60 run.
NX 450h+ (AWD): The plug-in flagship, capable of 37 miles of electric-only range and a stellar 84 MPGe rating. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder and hybrid system deliver a brisk 6.0-second 0–60. Fully charging the battery takes around three hours on 240V.
That spread gives the NX lineup a powertrain for nearly everyone—from traditionalists to eco-minded commuters.
Design Inside and Out
The NX’s exterior remains familiar: low center of gravity, pinched rear, and the controversial spindle grille leading the charge. Lexus offers up to eight paint choices depending on trim, with new Infrared and Ultra White brightening the palette. F SPORT Handling variants dial up the aggression with unique 20-inch wheels, blacked-out trim, and sport seats wrapped in Black and Circuit Red NuLuxe.
The cabin stays very Lexus: tightly screwed together, calm, and modern. NuLuxe upholstery is standard on lower trims, while Luxury buyers can step into leather. Interior color options span Black, Palomino, Rioja Red, and Macadamia, with ambient lighting themes (Rain Forest, Sunset, Waterfall) adding a boutique feel.
Optional niceties include a panoramic glass roof, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson surround system, and even Advanced Park, which can handle parallel and perpendicular maneuvers for you.
Tech, Safety, and Convenience
The Lexus Interface infotainment system comes standard with a 9.8-inch touchscreen, expandable to a 14-inch unit. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with up to six USB ports sprinkled throughout the cabin. Features like a digital key, cloud-based navigation, and Lexus’s Intelligent Assistant are available by subscription.
Every 2026 NX now rolls off the line with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0. That includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. Newer touches like Proactive Driving Assist and Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection push the NX toward semi-autonomous territory.
The 2026 Lexus NX isn’t revolutionizing the compact luxury crossover segment, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, Lexus has doubled down on offering choice—whether you want turbocharged performance, hybrid efficiency, or plug-in flexibility—and wrapped it all in a package that feels premium without being fussy. The subtle updates for 2026 broaden its appeal, particularly with the new hybrid FWD option and cheaper plug-in Premium trim.
The NX won’t light a fire in enthusiasts’ hearts, but it continues to deliver exactly what most buyers in this class want: sharp looks, a serene cabin, and just enough tech and efficiency to feel ahead of the curve.
The 2026 Lexus TX arrives with the kind of quiet updates you’d expect from a brand that likes to play the long game. No radical redesigns, no jarring experiments—just a few thoughtful additions to keep Lexus’s three-row SUV competitive against rivals from Acura, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes.
For the new model year, Lexus slips in a fresh paint option—Matador Red Mica—available on non–F SPORT models, while the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid gains a standard panoramic glass roof. More practical still, third-row passengers finally get standard modular cupholders, a small but meaningful nod to family-hauling reality.
A Familiar Lineup with Layers of Luxury
The TX continues to be offered in seven trims, ranging from the entry-level Standard to the posh Luxury, with multiple F SPORT Handling and Performance variants for buyers who want some extra spice. Like its RX and NX siblings, the TX rides on the GA-K platform, a modular setup shared across Toyota’s luxury and mainstream SUVs. Lexus says this chassis delivers “Lexus Driving Signature”—a carefully curated balance of comfort, agility, and predictability. In practice, it means the TX leans toward serenity, with enough responsiveness to keep things from feeling doughy.
Lexus engineers have stiffened the body with adhesives and spot welds, while aluminum panels up front and steel in the rear help balance weight distribution. The result is a large, three-row SUV that’s quieter, smoother, and a bit more nimble than its size suggests.
Powertrains for Every Taste
Lexus keeps the TX powertrain roster broad to appeal to everyone from suburban commuters to hybrid diehards.
TX 350: Powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder (275 hp, 317 lb-ft), paired with an eight-speed automatic and optional all-wheel drive. This is the bread-and-butter setup, efficient enough but not particularly thrilling.
TX 500h: The F SPORT Performance trim brings a turbocharged hybrid four-cylinder good for 366 hp and 406 lb-ft. It pairs with Lexus’s DIRECT4 AWD system and adds rear-wheel steering, giving this big SUV surprising agility.
TX 550h+: The headline powertrain. A 3.5-liter V-6 plug-in hybrid delivers 404 hp and up to 33 miles of EV-only range. With Level 2 charging, the battery fills in about three hours. This model, built in Indiana, is Lexus’s first PHEV assembled in North America.
Ride and Handling
Front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link suspension keep the TX planted, while higher trims get Adaptive Variable Suspension for more nuanced damping. F SPORT Performance models also include Dynamic Rear Steering, which turns the back wheels in or out of phase with the fronts depending on speed—tightening parking-lot maneuvers and stabilizing highway lane changes.
Braking and steering responses have been tuned to deliver the “predictable, linear feel” Lexus likes to talk about. In other words, smooth and drama-free, which suits the TX’s mission as a luxury family hauler more than a back-road bruiser.
Practical Luxury
Inside, the TX plays to Lexus’s strengths: quiet cabins, upscale materials, and tech that leans more toward convenience than cutting-edge gimmickry. All models get a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and seven USB ports. The third row is adult-usable, with 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind it—generous for the segment. Fold down both rows, and capacity expands to nearly 97 cubic feet.
Second-row seating can be had as either a bench or captain’s chairs, the latter with heating and ventilation. Modular cupholders abound, storage cubbies are plentiful, and an available Mark Levinson 21-speaker system ensures no one complains about road trip playlists.
Lexus also piles on driver-assist tech, from adaptive cruise with curve speed management to lane tracing and proactive driving assist. Subscription-based goodies—like cloud navigation and a digital key—add another layer of modernity.
The 2026 Lexus TX doesn’t rewrite the playbook, but it doesn’t need to. With three powertrain flavors, genuine three-row usability, and Lexus’s trademark comfort, it slots neatly into the luxury SUV space. The subtle updates—a new paint color, a glass roof, a couple more cupholders—aren’t earth-shaking, but they reinforce the TX’s role as a comfortable, versatile, and tech-forward family hauler.
If you want drama, look elsewhere. If you want dependability wrapped in Lexus refinement—with a plug-in option for guilt-free commuting—the 2026 TX makes a compelling case.
